The apartment is quiet as I wander from room to room, careful not to wake anyone. Donna and Lulu are out cold. They know that Sunday mornings are for sleeping in. I'm a little surprised that Mom isn't up yet, but we have been keeping her busy.

Since she's paying for it anyway, Donna and I basically put her in charge of the decorator. Donna realized fairly quickly that she did not want to be consulted on every little detail.

I can still hear her exasperation, "If I have to make all these decisions why on earth are we paying someone else?" So once she approved the color scheme for each room she turned it over to my Mom, who is in heaven. I guess that's a win-win.

I can't believe that in two days, we're going to have a baby. I mean, I knew it was going to happen. And Her due date- tomorrow- has been circled on the calendar for 9 months. But to know that on Tuesday we'll actually get up and go to the hospital and come home with a baby feels a little surreal. We didn't get to the point of scheduling an induction with Lulu. But this time, Donna is anxious. I think she'd have scheduled it for tomorrow if it wasn't for closing on the house.

Looking around, I'm starting to think that encouraging Donna to start her maternity leave early wasn't that great of an idea. She really doesn't know how to take it easy. She's been going into the office for half a day, then coming home to nap before packing things.

As much as I tried to convince her to leave it to the movers, who will be here tomorrow, there are things she doesn't want them to pack up. So in each room there's a half-filled box with our special stuff. I didn't realize we had this much special stuff.

. . . .

By the end of the day, I'm fully aware exactly how much special stuff we have, given that I've carefully wrapped it all in copious amounts of bubble wrap and practically covered the boxes in fragile stickers.

And speaking of fragile, my nerves are at their limit as Donna pants through another contraction, while Mom and I hold our breath and stare at the clock.

""Oh! That was a strong one! Are they getting closer together?" Donna asks as I write the time down on a piece of paper.

"Not really." I admit as I glance at the previous entries. This has been happening all day. Bouts of contractions that last for about an hour and get to about 7 minutes apart for a bit, before tapering off and fading away. Then nothing for several hours until it happens again.

He's like the boy who cried wolf. Just when we think it's time to head to the hospital, he settles down for a while. Just long enough to lure me into a false sense of security.

Donna and Mom seem to be taking it in stride but my nerves are shot.

"Well, then," Donna asks, "what should we have for dinner?"

I'm not really sure how she can even think of food right now, but I know what the right answer is.

"Whatever you'd like. I'll have something delivered."

"Hmmmmm-" Donna ponders her choices and I look forward to the conclusion. These last few weeks have been very interesting in terms of cravings.

"I want a breakfast sandwich. And some french fries. . . . And watermelon."

Mom gets a little smile as she watches me try to figure out how to make this happen. But I'm a pro now. Once I discovered that the food doesn't have to arrive simultaneously, it freed me up to order from several different restaurants. It's actually kind of better that way. Donna will just end up grazing anyway, and when the food arrives at different times it gives her more options for something hot.

"Okay. Sounds good." I tell her as I pull out the menus. "Let's see, you like that Breakfast Wrap from the Best Sandwich Place. Do you want that or just an egg, cheese and ham on an English Muffin?"

"I was thinking of a croissant. Egg, cheese and turkey sausage."

"Excellent. What kind of fries? Like 5 Guys or Fast Food?"

"The kind I got with my fish and chips- Martin's? In, fact. . . "

"You want me just to order the fish and chips?" I guess and I'm immediately rewarded by a shy smile.

"Yes, please. Just in case."

"Anything you want babe." I assure her before handing the two menus off to Mom. "Here you go. I'm going to check with Lulu and see what she wants. Then I'll call in our orders."

When I peek into her room, I find Lulu swaddling all her baby dolls. I'm not surprised. This has become a favorite pastime. Ever since Mom took her to the "Becoming a Sibling" class at the hospital, all she wants to do is take care of her babies. I can't wait for her to meet her brother.

It might be kind of difficult to convince her that she's probably too small to change diapers for real.

"Hey pumpkin!" I call out to get her attention.

"Hey Daddy." She responds, barely looking up from her task.

"We are going to order some food for dinner. Would you like a hamburger, chicken or fish?"

"Grilled cheese and french fries."

"I can make grilled cheese here." I inform her, hoping she'll pick something with protein in it instead.

"Okay." She agrees, causing me to realize my negotiating error. Still, I can work with this.

"Okay. How about Daddy makes you a grilled cheese with turkey bacon in it, and then we'll order french fries from the restaurant."

"Okay." She agrees happily, "and a milkshake?"

That makes me chuckle, because I'm pretty sure I just got out played by my 3 and a half year old. And now I have to also order from someplace that has milkshakes, because I really don't want to have to make that myself.

"Did you decide?" I ask Mom as I rejoin the ladies in the living room.

"Yes. I'll have the Pot Roast from Martin's please."

"That's a good choice."

"What are you getting?" Donna asks me. I'm pretty sure she's hoping I'll pick something she likes.

"Shepard's pie?" I respond, fully prepared to change my mind if that doesn't appeal to her.

"Yum. That sounds good." She grins, proving my suspicion. "What about Lulu?"

"She just wants grilled cheese and fries, and a milkshake." When Donna wrinkles her nose, I'm quick to add- "I'm just going to make it here, and I'm adding some turkey bacon to it."

"Okay. That's good. Instead of a milkshake, I think we can get her a protein smoothie from the place. And, you know, I don't think I need that breakfast sandwich after all. Maybe I'll just make some scrambled eggs and bacon."

"Do you still want the fish and chips?"

"Yes. And some of your shepherd's pie."

"Alright."

. . . .

"This reminds me of church potlucks!" Donna announces as she helps herself to some of Mom's Pot Roast along with the half of a grilled cheese, fries, piece of fish and shepherd's pie on her plate. "It's a Midwest thing. After church sometimes we'd have a lunch or dinner where everyone would bring a pot of food to share. So there'd be all kinds of choices and it was a way to try new things. But if you were at the end of the line- you might not get so lucky with what was left. That's why they call it a "potluck."

Mom just watches in amusement as Donna fills her plate. I'm pretty sure that "potluck" isn't exclusive to the Midwest, and my Mom did grow up in the depression era. But rather than telling Donna that, she just smiles gently at her.

"That sounds interesting." Mom responds, ambiguously. But it doesn't really sound good to me at all. I'd rather know what I was getting, so I'd be sure to like it.

"Oh it was!" Donna agrees. "And if you didn't like what you got, then the polite thing to do is to throw your plate away upside down so whoever made it wouldn't know you didn't eat it."

Mom laughs genuinely at Donna's story. It's really kind of fun to hear how she grew up. Not that it makes me want to move to the Midwest, but still.

By the time the doorbell rings with the delivery from Planet Smoothie, I have no idea how Donna is going to eat another thing. Seriously. I haven't seen her eat this much in one sitting in a couple months. Usually her eyes are bigger than her stomach.

"Is that my milkshake?" Lulu asks as I head toward the door. As I open it and hand the guy some cash, Kevin watches with a smirk. Our agents are getting used to the unpredictability of Donna's cravings and the ensuing deliveries. They'll probably be as glad as I am once the baby is here and things go back to normal.

"Okay, one Chocolate Chimp and one The Last Mango, plus a side of watermelon." I announce as I place the drinks in front of the girls.

"May I please watch a show while I drink my shake?" Lulu asks in her most polite voice while giving Donna her best puppy eyes. She must really want to watch TV laying it on so thick. But Donna melts.

"Yes, let's snuggle on the couch together. Maybe Daddy will make us some popcorn."

But Lulu wrinkles her nose at that idea and Donna's face falls. I'm about to intervene when Lulu shakes her head. "No thank you. I don't want popcorn."

When Donna realizes that she's not being rejected, her face lights up again. "Oh, okay. Yeah, I probably don't need any popcorn either. What do you want to watch on television?"

"WordWorld!" Lulu shouts as she runs to the couch. As far as kid's programs go this is less annoying than most, at least it's educational. And I don't know how many more nights we're going to get like this for a while, so I'm happy to join them. But Mom begs off.

"I'll put the leftovers away, then I think I'll go read for a bit in my room."

"Thanks, Mom!" Donna calls from the couch.

"Thanks, Bubbe!" Lulu echoes cheerily.

. . . .

As the third episode starts I have to bite back a groan. This is getting painful. But Lulu's still completely absorbed, and Donna is barely keeping her eyes open even though it's only 7:30.

"When this show's over, it's bath time." I inform Lulu.

"Okay, Daddy." She agrees. Smart girl. Watching 3 episodes of T.V. isn't a common occurrence. She's wise not to push her luck.

"Ugh. I have to use the bathroom." Donna announces with a little groan, shifting Lulu closer to me, then pushing herself up off the couch.

She takes two steps towards our room then stops suddenly.

"OH!" She exclaims looking down. My eyes follow and then I see a wetness spreading across her white capris. Donna looks back up at me with a big smile. We both know what this means.

Little man has decided not to wait until Tuesday after all.

"Hey!" Lulu grumbles as I spring off the couch.

"Mama's having the baby!" I proclaim.

"I know. Little Brother will be here soon." Lulu responds almost drolly, repeating the phrase we've been telling her every time she asks when the baby will arrive.

"No! I mean now. It's time for us to go to the hospital."

"NOW?!" Lulu shouts in excitement, standing up on the couch. I grab her before she can tumble off and spin her around.

"Yes. Now."

"Well, not right now." Donna points out, shaking her head. "Come on, Josh. You remember how long she took. And I haven't had any contractions in a couple hours."

"But still, we should go to the hospital."

"We will, but I think you should give Lulu a bath first. And while you do that I'm going to take a quick shower and change, and then I'll call my parents and Linda."

"Linda? Linda who?"

"Linda Green- the real estate agent. I don't think we're going to be at the closing tomorrow after all."

"Oh! Right."

"Okay, so I'm going to change, can you get her, please." Donna repeats as she heads off. I'm still feeling a bit dazed even though this is our second time doing this.

Okay, I guess we'd better do what Mama wants." I tell Lulu. "But, this is going to be a fast bath."

. . . .

Forty-five minutes later, we're on our way. I think we're both grinning like crazy. Steve offered to use the lights and sirens, but Donna insisted that it wasn't necessary. The hospital is only a few minutes away, especially on a Sunday evening with no traffic. And Donna's still not having any serious contractions.

At the hospital we are taken straight to a private room. Operation Baby #2 involves just as many high level security protocols as the first time, but at least this time we feel more prepared. Well, marginally. My heart is still racing. I'm both excited and terrified. Giving birth is one of the most dangerous things a woman can do.

Donna smiles at me as she puts the blue hospital gown on. "This feels like deja vu, doesn't it?" She laughs.

"How do you mean?"

"Well, the same thing happened with Lulu, right? My water broke even though I wasn't really having any contractions."

"Yeah, but I really don't want a repeat of last time. We need to make sure they don't give you any Demerol."

"They have it in my file." Donna assures me.

"I'm going to tell the nurse anyway." I insist. I do not want to see her go through that again. It was horrible.

Just then there's a knock on the door. "Come in!" Donna chirps.

Two men wearing white lab coats enter the room. "Hi, I'm Dr. Martin, I'm chief resident." The older one greets us. "And this is Dr. Evans. He's a fourth year medical student. This is a teaching hospital and we'd like to examine you if that's okay."

"Sure, no problem." Donna agrees. I'm not super thrilled but Donna doesn't seem to mind, she follows their instructions and slides into position. Which I have to say looks rather humiliating. Man, the things women endure.

Dr. Evans uses some sort of litmus paper, then holds it up to Dr. Martin, who nods at him then gestures at us.

"Um, yeah, it's positive. Your membrane has ruptured. So we will want you to deliver the baby within the next 12-24 hours."

"Okay, sounds like a plan." Donna agrees.

Dr. Martin raises his eyebrows at the younger man and waits a few seconds. Then when he doesn't do anything, steps into the space between Donna's legs.

"Okay, I need to manually examine your cervix and see how dilated you are."

"Okay, have at it." Donna responds. I really don't like looking at another man with his hand in my wife's lady parts, but it's a small price to pay to make sure that she and the baby are fine. Still I hope Dr. Andrews will be here for the actual delivery.

"I'd say you're about 4 centimeters. That's pretty good considering you aren't having any contractions."

He steps aside and waves Dr. Evans into the space. Oh great.

"Well, I was having contractions most of the day." Donna informs him. They just never got close enough to warrant coming into the hospital. They'd start strong then fade away after about an hour, then come back 90 minutes later."

"Well, then, I'd say they were doing their job." He turns back to Dr. Evans who as a look of total concentration on his face. At least he's not enjoying this.

"What is your assessment, Dr. Evans?"

At that Dr. Evans pulls his hand out of Donna. "4 centimeters dilated and slightly effaced."

"Very good." Dr. Martin praises him.

"I'm going to send a nurse in to start the Pitocin. We'll get those contractions going again in no time." He turns to leave the room.

"Wait, doc!" I call out, and they both turn back to face me. "Since she's 4 centimeters dilated can she have the epidural now too? She doesn't do well with Demerol."

"Sure, I can order that now if you'd like."

"Yes please." Donna quickly answers. Then as soon as the door is shut she starts to giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"That med student, Dr. Evans?"

"Yeah?"

"He was nowhere near my cervix. He has no idea if I'm dilated. He was totally bullshitting his boss."

"Oh, great." I wonder if we should tell someone. I mean, at this point shouldn't he know what he's doing? And if he doesn't, shouldn't someone know? I mean, what if he does something wrong.

But Donna takes one look at my face and laughs again. "Relax, Josh. He's a student. Georgetown is a great University, I'm sure he'll figure it out. For all we know that was his first ever pelvic exam."

"Well, that's a pleasant thought." But Donna is amused, so I'm not going to let it bother me . . . as long as there is always a real doctor in the room.

. . . .

By the time Donna's all hooked up with a Pitocin drip and an epidural, and two monitors for the contractions and the baby's heartbeat, it's almost 10 pm. I'm not really sure what to do, I mean, should we try to sleep? Last time this took twelve hours.

"How're ya doin'?"

"I'm good."

"Are you sleepy?"

"Not really. I'm kind of hyped, you know? By lunchtime tomorrow we're going to be a family of four. Lulu is finally going to have her baby brother. We're going to have a son!"

"It's incredible. God, Donna. I love you so much." My voice breaks a little, so I clear my throat.

"I love you too, Josh. You're such a great Dad. And you are the best husband. I knew you were worth waiting for."

"It didn't seem like you were waiting, dating all those Republicans!" I can't help but tease her, because the way she grins at me when I do makes me feel like the luckiest man on the planet.

"Hah. I had to keep you guessing. And you certainly didn't look like you were pining after me back then."

"No, I was pretty stupid. But it all worked out in the end." I lean over and give her a kiss.

Just then the door opens and Dr. Evans wanders in alone. He studies the Pitocin machine pretty closely and then looks over at us.

"They've got this turned up pretty high. I wonder why." He remarks, setting my radar pinging. But again, Donna just laughs at him.

"I think they want me to have this baby."

He nods at Donna's sage observation, then wanders back out of the room.

"I'm going to shut my eyes for a bit." Donna informs me. "You should probably take a nap too."

"Okay." I agree, running my fingers over her face as she closes her eyes. But there's no way I'm going to actually do it. I'll stand guard while she rests.

Just after midnight, a nurse comes in and looks at the stream of paper coming out of the contraction monitor. She looks at Donna sleeping in the bed and smiles. Then turns up the Pitocin.

"Is everything okay?" I quietly ask, not wanting to wake Donna up.

The nurse walks around the bed to stand closer, but she speaks in a normal tone. "Yes. The contractions were strong for a while, but they started to taper off again, so I just turned up the Pitocin. The baby's heart rate looks great, so I'm going to let your wife sleep for another hour then we'll check her cervix to see how far she's come."

"Last time it took twelve hours. So what? We're looking at about 10 a.m.?"

"Oh honey, no. I get off at 6 am, he'll be here long before then."

"Oh! That's good."

"So do you have a name picked?"

"It's up to her. But I think she's going to choose Jonah."

She smiles at me. "That's a really nice name."

It sure is.